tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88918466898679787902024-02-20T23:41:18.864-08:00Nina bikes NZNina biked New ZealandNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-28223017525555200052012-08-06T22:49:00.000-07:002012-08-06T22:49:04.510-07:00UnpackedI'm at the place which is supposed to be home for the next long time. It is strange.<br />
I think it will take some time getting used to this. I probably already have a temporary job. I sort of know where things are. I've been out rowing on the fjord. There's a nice park for running.<br />
I can paint the walls whichever colour I choose. There's a kitchen. The shops are weird though. They're so <i>Danish....</i><br />
But there's rye bread. The sun shines and we have rainbows and August thunder.<br />
<br />
We'll continue in Danish over at <a href="http://hjemtilaalborg.blogspot.dk/">Hjem til Aalborg</a>.<br />
<br />
There might come a few last updates here.<br />
Pictures. Book progress. Stuff like that. Next adventure.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-91655264645684691932012-08-05T05:36:00.002-07:002012-08-05T05:36:14.410-07:00KontaktHar ikke telefo endnu. Ring til Jes på 22851014.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-32869121013521894712012-08-03T02:18:00.005-07:002012-08-03T02:19:53.090-07:00flyverJeg er med ba 816 kl 12.50 fra heathrow, som er en ualmindelig ubehagelig lufthavn. i Kbh ca to timer senere.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-66285067232349649302012-08-01T02:15:00.002-07:002012-08-01T02:15:56.647-07:00This is why I do that<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JTUqy5Oh_YqIWJpZSXOWC-v8BK8jdXU7INe7i69PaKpiDE6DICEQtRjELNygotK3wIrc67FwrFwxh2TcaM19ADeHRyhdDO_dLHLjcpBWaKTiNz97ROEiGLZhDGERzKRP8s8XvGEg0I4/s1600/P1040506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JTUqy5Oh_YqIWJpZSXOWC-v8BK8jdXU7INe7i69PaKpiDE6DICEQtRjELNygotK3wIrc67FwrFwxh2TcaM19ADeHRyhdDO_dLHLjcpBWaKTiNz97ROEiGLZhDGERzKRP8s8XvGEg0I4/s400/P1040506.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-66426875184073594462012-08-01T01:37:00.000-07:002012-08-01T01:37:14.195-07:00FinalityI'm leaving tomorrow. My bike's all packed in a box and I hope the girls in the lfight companies were right about me just strolling over to qantas and paying 120 aussie dollars for them to fly the big box home to Denmark. We'll see tomorrow. It's very interesting.<br />
It's also very strange to be leaving, it felt so familiar to come back, or home to New Zealand. It's autumnal and recognisable and mountainous and might as well be Scandinavia, just with nikau palms and cabbage trees. <br />
<br />
But I do look forward to home, to see my friends, my family, have a job, eat Danish rye bread and liquorice, hold hands with the loved one every day and sleep in the same bed every night, to not share dorm rooms with snooring strangers, to have more than two sets of clothes. It's also slightly scary. What if I forget how wonderful this was and don't go out again? If I just get a nine to five and have kids and tell about back when mum was cool and biked New Zealand and sailed to Fiji? <br />
I don't think I will forget though. I'll probably remember so hard that there is no option but going out again. <br />
<br />
Again, again again, I have to come back to this place.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-38697356400789580912012-07-29T18:00:00.002-07:002012-08-01T14:02:35.542-07:00West CoastI've cheated by bus and am now at Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki. It's beautiful, and so are Nelson lakes. Got to come back some other time.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-9162469206129642742012-07-28T12:16:00.000-07:002012-07-28T12:16:49.131-07:00Last rideI'm at Nelson lakes now, sneaking time to one last bike ride before I'm going home. It's cold, and dark early, and a lot of camp sites are winterclosed. It's nearing to cold for tent in many places anyway, and definetely up here in the mountains. Luckily there's still backpackers and friendly Kiwis. It's pretty rough biking with a load after so long time lounging in ships and on beaches, but very rewarding.The scenery is fantastic. I have to come back.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0Nelson Lakes National Park, Lake Heod Track, Nelson Lakes National Park 7072, New Zealand-41.814314229872515 172.8424072265625-42.003718229872518 172.52655022656251 -41.624910229872512 173.15826422656249tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-62795330185812705242012-07-26T01:43:00.001-07:002012-07-26T01:43:38.251-07:00PracticalitiesNew Zealand is nicer in the sun. Actually so nice I'm trying to sneak in a last little tour before I have to fly back. Tomorrow the mission is to get my tickets finalized and bike to St Arnaud. I'll continue to Greytown and take the train across to Christchurch, then fly home. Hopefully it works.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-60669306371709037982012-07-25T09:22:00.000-07:002012-07-25T09:22:05.203-07:00NZIn Christchurch. There's nowhere to sleep but airport. It's fucking cold and expensive and stuff doesn't work. I'd forgotten the downsides of NZ. Got a busticket to Nelson tomorrow, will then go to someplace called papamoa in the North Island to pick up more luggage and then fly out from Auckland ASAP. I'm so over travelling right now.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-60861320588482813432012-07-24T16:56:00.000-07:002012-07-24T16:56:16.226-07:00Moce Fiji!<span lang="">I was absolutely certainmy flight was on the 24th af July, so me and Lou travelled like madmen from Savusavu to Nadi via Suva to have a chance to see Alex before leaving. It's closing in on 18 hours travel over two days, one of the days starting at five in the morning.<br />
<br />
And when I'd well arrived in the airport, changed into the travel clothes and left behind the last sunbleched washed out dress in a bin, I wondered why the only flights to new Zealand went to Auckland. It wouldn't be strange if something had gone amiss. Turned out to be me. The flight is leaving at 20.25 on July 25th. In other words; I'd come one day early. Idiot me decided to go out with a bang and got a room at Raffles right across the airport. The basic model, but still, it was absolutely amazing to have an air-con room, a proper bathroom, hot water immediately, toiletpaper and a room to myself. And now I'm wasting the day in the patio with a view to bouganvilleas, pools and gardeners fussing around. It's overcast, but that's ok. It's nice here. I'm just about to go home soon. For the moment it doesn't even bother me that I've missed most of NZ South Island. I'd honestly rather just visit my father in Norway.</span>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-11151193592715968732012-07-19T21:46:00.000-07:002012-07-19T21:46:46.930-07:00Hello Wolrd!I'm in Sauvusavu again. We'vr benn in Nagigi, pronounced nagingi - try say that while drinking - which we are right now. It's the last day in Fiji. Calls for a celebration. See you soon with pictures - NinaNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-65652966053899686432012-07-13T01:03:00.002-07:002012-07-13T01:04:15.379-07:00Savusavu & Labasa<span lang="">We've gone on a roadtrip to Labasa. It's only 85 km, but almost three hours by bus over the misty hills of Vanua Levu. Labasa is very much Indofijian, in fact I'm shopping a sari here. I'm not quite sure where or when to wear a sari back home in Denmark, but it's very pretty.
<br />
Other than that we've visited the local temple and faffed about in town (there's no beach) and had a beer and sorted photos. There's not so much to do here really, and we're both starting to feel that we've seen what there is to see in Fiji,at least for the time being with our monetary resources.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, it is really really nice here, but after a while you realize that the guidebooks are using up every possible ressource to come up with things to do. And much of those things are rather much the same in most islands and places. Closing in on three months of hanging out by the beach or being in rather smallish towns that close down at 7.30 sharp, whereafter you have to entertain yourself is enough for me. I miss my bike and more space and changing weather and, well, ordinary stuff like my kitchen and having things to do in the day and less ordinary stuff like my friends and family and husband.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we're going out to a hindu temple with a growing rock that's shaped like a cobra where they do tricks with milk and popcorn we've been told. And then I guess I'm picking up my sari and we return to Savusavu to have dinner at Joseph's and listen to live music and sunday we go sailing an monday we're heading back to Viti Levu. And all that is not so bad.</span>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-58356978442667645232012-07-11T20:49:00.000-07:002012-07-11T20:49:20.015-07:00Jumping ship - still hereI've jumped ship tih the cheaf, and it's over a week ago, but we've lolled about on a beach where internet is a thing of the future. After close to four months of sailing we had had enough ship and gone on land. We hopped of in Taveuni and didn't get further than 100 meters away from the landing spot, before we found beverleys campground, which is a little slice of paradise. There's no hot water, only generator electricity, fantastic snorkelling right by the beach which you are at and you can kayak to the shop, various hidden beaches and villages. It's so fantastic we ended up staying for week rather than a few days. Now we're in Savusavu, which is a little disappointing after Taveuni, but quite alright. It's just that all the other tourists are spoiling the feel and there's no beach to go snorkelling. And Fiji towns aren't that much. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow we're heading to Labasa on the northern side of Vanua Levu, probably back to Savusavu and then I might go to Ba to visit mrs Kumar, on a tour into the highlands of Fiji, and back to SUva to say hi to Alex, get some souvenirs and send them home with all the other things I don't need and then fly out from Nadi the 24th. <br />
<br />Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-69595311555345859572012-07-01T19:42:00.001-07:002012-07-01T19:42:45.621-07:00Internet's backIt's pretty unreliable here in Fiji. We're reaching Taveuni today, and I'm planning to run away with the ship chef to a beach with warm water and cold drinks. We're tired of sailing. Here's the proejct newsletter. Read between the lines - it's prettified.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 24pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Honour Fiji Journey Newsletter <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 24pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Suva to Moon Reef<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">In Suva Harbour<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alvei is anchored in Suva Harbour <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">where the crew have been hard at work to clean up
ship, get provisions and make repairs so the ship is all set for our two month
long</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Honour</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Fiji Journey. Our already
delayed sail date is Wednesday the 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of June, so we’re in a hurry
to get things ready. After 43 days of sailing from Nelson in New Zealand to
Suva there’s much work to be done, and unfortunately a lot of it is on deck,</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">rust busting</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, painting and so forth, which can only be done
in sunshine – and we have mainly had rain during our month in Suva.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sail date keeps being delayed,
due to weather systems in the wrong compass corner, meetings to go to and so
forth. There are always a million things to do before setting out on a tour
like this. We’re a mix of old and new crew, palagi (white or westerners) and
Fijians, and in particular the crew members who have taken part in the six week
long strenuous Nelson-Suva passage and been aboard ship since March are eager
to get going and there are some frustrations aboard due to the constant delays.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have meetings to clear the air and the communication channels. The
proverb "being in the same boat" never makes as much sense as when
you actually are on a ship and need to cooperate and maintain a congenial
atmosphere to keep the ship in shape. The Honour Fiji Journey isn’t just
learning about environment, but also learning to cooperate across cultures and
expectations – in particular since the crew is very international and culturally
differentiated with the only national majority being four Fijians out of a crew
of twelve - so much we realize before even leaving harbour. In the end we have
several good bye parties, last drinks and showers and three newly tattooed sailors
before we go anywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At last both weather and itineraries come together, and with a total of 10
crew members, Captain Evan and project manager Carrie we finally get going on
Wednesday the 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of June, expecting to pick up our remaining crew
members at Moon Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Makogai Island<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
first stop is Makogai Island where we pick up young Giant Clams to be seeded by
Moon Reef. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The clams are spawned in 500
liter tanks, and the baby clams are assorted in large concrete pools with
flowing seawater according to age and size. We get over a hundred clams to
place out on Moon Reef. Three of us don snorkel gear to see some the big ones
out in their natural habitat only few meters from the beach and the huge clams
are an impressive sight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also get the tour and
history of the village; Makogai used to be a leprosy colony and was the largest
in the South Pacific. It was run by a French catholic nunnery, and closed down
in 1969. Today there's a hospital ruin, with large concretely slabs erected abruptly
in what is now bush and farm land, as well as a cemetery with approximately
1500 graves. In total 4000 people lived on the island during the leprosy
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Moon Reef and Nataleira village<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moon Reef is our first official stop on the Honour Fiji
Journey on Friday the 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> of June, where we have a week long
itinerary, involving both marine ecology and cultural exchange. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The passage from Makogai to Moon
Reef<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We get up at break of dawn
at Makogai to hoist anchor. The passage between Makogai and Moon Reef/Nataleira
village is approximately nine hours and we don't want to arrive in dark. The
sailing is demanding among the reefs, and the crew who has taken part in the NZ
to Suva passage is also the navigation team, since we still are the experienced.
We arrive safely at Nataleira near Moon Reef, where we anchor a few hundred
meters off the village beach, snugly protected in the bay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All crew have a swim and don
their best land clothes, and we're received with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sevusevu</i> ceremony by the elders of the village, being welcomed to
the village. We introduce ourselves and the purpose of the Honour Fiji Journey.
The evening continues with Fijian language lessons, and the last sailors are on
back board around 10 in the evening. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Sevusevu ceremonies<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those who aren't
acquainted with Fijian customs, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kava</i>
or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yaqona </i>is a drink with mildly
narcotic effect produced from the grounded roots of the <i>Macropiper
methysticum</i> pepper plant. It is mixed with water to something which could
be described as mixture in between used dish water and mud, and it pretty much
tastes the same. The drink is tranquilizing and numbs lips and mouth of those
who imbibe it. Kava is an important part of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sevusevu</i>
rituals which are performed on events such as births, deaths, marriages, peacemaking
or formal reception of visitors. Our sevusevu experiences are of course
receptions of visitors, either held on board boat, where we welcome the local
village elders, or on land, where the village welcomes us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For ceremonial sevusevu
there's a strict protocol of how the kava is mixed, who drinks first as well as
clapping once with cupped hands before and thrice after emptying the cup in one
go. Traditionally it is the elder men of the village on of the visitors who are
offered kava, while women and youngsters don’t have kava until the official
sevusevu is over. Foreigners are usually given instruction on how it is done,
what is appropriate and also given a bit of leeway if they accidentally blunder
a bit. It can also be drunk in a more informal way between friends, but there
is almost always a ceremony master, who prepares the kava, and you always say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bula</i> before drinking in one go. Even the
most formal sevusevu usually continues in this way. If the kava isn’t much to
your liking it’s ok to ask for a low tide, and politely decline after imbibing
the first cup. If you’re fond of it (or its effect) then asking for a high tide
or even tsunami should do the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Moon Reef Myth<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Makalati </span></i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">or Moon reef is the spirit home of the ancestors of the local village
Silana which is owned by the yavusa (clan) Lau. The reef is protected by two
baby sharks, one named Bera A Ua and the other Bera A Lolo - faster than the
waves and faster than the tide - hence no one may kill or harm baby sharks at the
reef. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">babale</i> (spinner dolphins)
that live by the reef are said to entertain the ancestral spirits. The myth has
that the reef used to be a village site, occupied by the ancestors of the
modern village Silana and hence the villagers must now protect the reef. The
layout of the spirit village is known, with a playground, the rubbish dump, and
a sandy stretch where the ancestors play <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">veitiqa</i>
(javelin throwing). The reef is sacred and it is forbidden to throw rubbish at
the site, make loud noises and in general behave in ways that doesn't honour
the sacredness of the site.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before fishing on the reef, one must ask
permission of the Silana village which is protector of the reef, bringing a
sevusevu, offering of kava. A story is told of a wedding during hard times in
the neighbouring village Nataleira; with scarce food to celebrate the wedding.
A sevusevu of kava was offered to the Lau clan and permission obtained to go
fishing and food gathering on the reef. Much food was caught, both shell fish
and fish and even a turtle so large it took six men to carry it back to the
village where the wedding fiest could now be celebrated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although it is nowadays seen
as witchcraft it used to be the custom to bring food offerings in clay pots to
the reef for the ancestors. Pot shards have later been found on the reef,
possibly from these offerings. Fishermen tell tales of catching strips of grass
skirts (liku vau), hearing voices and seeing fires on the reef during nightly
fishing trips. The ancient belief is that spirits travel to their ancestor at
Moon Reef via the Udukula point where the spirit of the dead dive to the Moon
Reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another sacred point is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ucuna i waka ni ivi</i> (the point which
resembles Tahitian chestnuts roots), where the villagers can see a fire lit
when someone dies in the village. The Ivi tree (Tahitian chestnut) is the totem
tree of the Lau clan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Clam seeding<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early in the morning on
Saturday the 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> our chef Lou and project manager Carrie make it
into Korovou town, to do some very necessary food shopping and project
planning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of the crew is
sailed out to a nearby reef to seed some of the clams from Makogai. They’re
young giant clams which are endangered due to their shells being very
attractive, but nowadays export has been banned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately a case of Fiji time has struck,
and we end up going in during low tide, and don’t get a proper instruction of how
to seed the clams. The reef is circle-shaped, with no channels entering it,
which means that there's no other way into the central deeper parts but over
the reef in ankle deep water. Walking on reefs is a big no-no, and by each step
you easily crush several years of growth. It also turns out that we’ve put the
clams out wrongly; the clams have to be seeded in couples, one male (reddish)
and one female (orange) clam together in order to make new baby clams. We’ve
just put them out in random order and they have to be rearranged. We're not too
happy feeling we’re wasting resources from the village, and agree to discuss
the issue on our Monday morning meeting later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Rest day<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We keep Sundays resting
days, sleep in and attend church in the village. Even for those who aren't of a
great religious inclination it is a good way to get acquainted with the daily
life on land and nice to meet locals. We're invited for lunch and more and more
dishes keeps being sent over to the porch for us to try. The village youth has
apparently been quite impressed with the ship and we're being put forward as a
good example - if you work hard, it is possible to go out to see the world and
learn a lot. In particular the fact that we're a mainly female crew has proven
a novelty; "That big ship and they're all young girls sailing it!" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The evening is intended to
be our quiet time off and just about as the majority of the crew is below decks
for a bit of rest or quietly cooking in the galley (kitchen), we get boatload
after boatload of sightseers. While it's great that people are interested, and
we're happy to able to give tours the ship, it can be overwhelming with that
many unplanned visitors, in particular after dark when it is difficult to do
tours, since we do not have much light aboard. We make an agreement to have
people coming out during the day time in order for us to have bit off time too
and be able to give better tours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Foreigner Complex<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We start Monday 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
of June with a morning meeting, having a talk about the purpose of the project
and what we wish to do and learn from the project. The concept of Fiji time
(two o'clock might as well be four o'clock, depending on when people are ready)
combined with ship time (6th of June might as well be 9th of June depending on
weather, engine faults etc.) have been more or less annoying at points, both
concerning the project itinerary and cooperation with land based partners as
well as crew satisfaction. This year’s project being the first is to a great
extinct a trial, error and learning experience to see what is actually possible
to do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have a long discussion
aboard concerning how and whether it is possible to come as foreigners and
palagis to "change the world", and how to avoid just being another
tourist believing that we're making a difference, while we might end up using
more resources than we contribute. The conclusion comes to be that as
foreigners visiting only shortly, it will to a large extent be us learning from
the Fijians. What we can try to accomplish is getting attention to the issues
that need addressing, to show that we have genuine wish of learning and
exchanging knowledge and in particular to ensure that the Fijian crew members
are put in front of the project, since they are staying and working with the
Econesian Society and hence are those that really can make a difference in the
future, while the palagi crew at some point will be leaving Fiji for their
homes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Moon Reef Diving<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During Tuesday forenoon
we're going to Moon Reef per outboard and are welcomed by the spinner dolphins
who visit the reef on a regular basis, playing around in the bow wave. The
weather is rather rough, but we still don snorkel gear and jump in with the
clams. We're also taking pictures of the reef, to see which state it is in, and
are happy to see a living colourful reef with lots of fish and shellfish and
very few crown of thorn starfish. There are a few places where there’s some
damage, and it is very obvious to see how much harm a single misplaced anchor
can do to a reef.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch and a change to
dry clothes we go on shore for some mangrove tree planting, with Isoa, our main
helper, instructor and contact, showing us the cigar shaped seeds of the
mangrove trees as well as the desirable size of sprouted seedlings. We collect
a big bunch and replant the seedlings at the edge of the mangroves and start a
nursery for the seeds. They're placed in plastic cups filled with sands to
protect the roots and dug into the moist, sandy ground with about half the seed
sticking up. Once they've sprouted, they'll be planted out to cover a larger
area with mangrove. The plastic cups can be reused for future nurseries and
won't pollute the ground. The mangroves are very important to the local ecosystem,
protecting against coastal erosion which is a big problem and can cause entire
villages to have to relocate further inland. Furthermore, the mangroves also
act as a filter, cleaning off excess silt from rivers going into the sea, and
hence protecting reefs further out. If there's too much silt and erosion coming
from land to sea, the reefs can be smothered in eroded material which simply
put suffocates the reef polyps, keeps out the sun and causes the reef to die.
The mangrove can also filter spill water from villages without a sewage
cleaning system, which is hard to incorporate and maintain in most small island
villages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">School and health clinic visits<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday we're visiting the
local secondary school, which serve two districts and 15 villages with only
three class rooms and a handful of teachers. The school is quite new, built in
2006, and the vice principal tells of how he painted a piece of plywood with
black paint and hammered it to a tree to give the first lessons outside while
the school was being built.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The teachers live in the
compound, while students take a bus from their village. Secondary school is not
compulsory, but is encouraged by the state paying school fees and transport to
the school and approximately 75% of Fijian youth attend secondary school. We
talk with the students during their break, telling of the ship Alvei and the
Honour Fiji Journey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the students
have warmed up a bit there's lots of questions about the ship and our project,
quite a few of them having seen the ship for anchor by Nataleira village. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our ship nurse Kanuk is
visiting the local clinic and nurse. Working conditions are tough in the
countryside, with only one nurse to the clinic, and she is on watch 24/7 all
year round. She is responsible for the health care of 2722 people. During the
past two years, the nurse has only been granted holidays once. Nurses and
doctors are stationed where they are needed, which can be far away from family
and friends, and there's usually no other transport than the nurses own feet
for home visits in the local villages. Luckily health personnel in the area
don't face too many grave health issues; the major problems being intestinal
worms, skin infections, respiratory infections, diabetes and high blood
pressure which can be treated in the clinic and on home visits. One of the
bigger concerns is the appearance of dengue fever in the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health education concerning nutrition, hygiene
and the major local health issues are also an important part of the nurse’s job
to prevent further health problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">By bilibili down the river<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our school and clinic
visit we go by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bilibili</i> (bamboo raft)
down the river, where Isoa treats us to some papaya and tells about the
importance of the forests. Fiji's landscape is volcanic and full of steep hill-
and mountainsides, and rain can pour down in heavy quantities, making bare
areas prone to landslides and heavy erosion. The forest acts as sponge,
ensuring that this doesn't happen. Around the district where we are there's not
much forestry and the high mountains are carpeted in indigenous trees. On lower
lands there are fast growing spruces, an imported money crop used for building
material. The river suffers some bank erosion, but is in general in good shape,
with fish and bird life. The birdlife in Fiji is endangered, as on many other
pacific islands, due to imported pests. In Fiji it's cats, rats and mongoose
who take eggs and chickens. Luckily several islands are mongoose and rat free
and have an abundant indigenous bird life; among those Taveuni, which is our
next leg of the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The raft tour is absolutely
stunning and ends by the black sand beach where we can walk back to the village
among drift wood and yellow beach hibiscus. The hibiscus flower adorns many
ears and hairdos in Fiji, and if you're married the flower goes behind the left
ear, while singles keep it behind the right ear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the village we have fish
for lunch with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dalo</i> (taro) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">moli</i> (lemon) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rokete</i> (chili) for dipping. The dessert is of course <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lolo</i> - coconut. We’re thrilled to get
some variation to our tins and beans and keep the scurvy at bay. Without a
fridge nothing fresh keeps for very long and we need to replenish stocks of
fresh food every second or third day or go without – hence one of our great
pleasures is to share meals in the village. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are still some days to
go by Moon Reef with further school visits, a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lovo </i>(traditional earth oven meal) party, storytelling evening and
a visit from Fiji1 TV before we continue to Taveuni. The visit to Moon Reef and
Nataleira village has taught us much and we’re happy to have made new friends
and had such wonderful experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-47832392372747140392012-06-17T14:13:00.000-07:002012-06-17T14:13:08.020-07:00Words in my headI'm writing untill my head is spinning with words and my sentences makes no sense. It's unfortunately all for newsletters, articles and proejct planning. The Fijian youth is on board and we've been promised we leave tomorrow morning. The tour is getting shorter and shorter for me since the delay is getting longer and longer. I miss Scandinavia, cool summer, mountains, good ice cream, my friends, my family, open air cinema in wollen blankets. Maybe I'm about to have travelled enough quite soon.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-20694592150127463472012-06-15T23:50:00.000-07:002012-06-15T23:50:10.032-07:00The things they don't tell you about sailingI'm back on the ship, postponed my flight till 25th of July to do the Island cruising and environment project as well. It seemed like a better idea than biking NZ South Island during winter. <br />
I should have met the ship at Moon Reef north of Ovalau a week ago. We're still in Suva. We might leave on Monday. Everything is not organized. We're supposed to both pay for sailing, and work aboard and now do project work as well as I've gotten to write about the project. That's three jobs.<br />
The chef's considered leaving, I've considered leaving, I miss my husband and frustrations abound. We hope sailing will cler the atmosphere. Otherwise I'll go play backpacker.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-82011561066609111232012-06-09T18:34:00.000-07:002012-06-09T18:34:25.964-07:00Things to do in Fiji with your significant other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
in a rather random order. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wTryzPCvEvMWxBdn-97Y3CyrY5WFsAIXTmGPYc-pnTqNhpRCcX0jP976Msz_PHW6Ay5PVqlWfjH6-Sho-MByUMUoVYy_lMBQq6DGYQBB1GUWLnKCtN0uXiouV9WiJSdbmOaKvc7ft8A/s1600/P1020609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wTryzPCvEvMWxBdn-97Y3CyrY5WFsAIXTmGPYc-pnTqNhpRCcX0jP976Msz_PHW6Ay5PVqlWfjH6-Sho-MByUMUoVYy_lMBQq6DGYQBB1GUWLnKCtN0uXiouV9WiJSdbmOaKvc7ft8A/s320/P1020609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hike to the peak in Ovalau</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39lrIbIJdN6inKAO6r6vnvkA-zzs_53Z7Ur0lg3PRIhGaP2ScoFKj2qz9zXwp8ZSgFdV53_936aZd2ovywbgGrELI0CEBDPhtBlYq9EsXQrKb_2ZauVs6VRMUpMOkolRfcDal9GOCgFs/s1600/P1020600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39lrIbIJdN6inKAO6r6vnvkA-zzs_53Z7Ur0lg3PRIhGaP2ScoFKj2qz9zXwp8ZSgFdV53_936aZd2ovywbgGrELI0CEBDPhtBlYq9EsXQrKb_2ZauVs6VRMUpMOkolRfcDal9GOCgFs/s320/P1020600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Swim in the pool by the waterfall in Ovalau</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_CkP6ok5DqQEPyLoE_CBE-WEnVrrRfys3lL6K3uNINrK9MbRkspuhTIOzY86nn2IduYTNSUnXI84t5RUkd3vL9-QxTIzNrzNuGpEor5nycWORwc-Cse0WOMJLzdEQRBqqNiv18A2pcw/s1600/P1020633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_CkP6ok5DqQEPyLoE_CBE-WEnVrrRfys3lL6K3uNINrK9MbRkspuhTIOzY86nn2IduYTNSUnXI84t5RUkd3vL9-QxTIzNrzNuGpEor5nycWORwc-Cse0WOMJLzdEQRBqqNiv18A2pcw/s320/P1020633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Watch the local rugby tournament</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv5I6ASw8P9EtVOb-0Pi1gAfmRdRKogCcJh7qrKS2PcJhQYEGuO_ETXP8gPBCAslqoJgNw71MplEqWdVPzVvIp8tIfQuU6Fu0NCP81ATqIiO7jo8_Z2DwxCfoXi26lRHiPpR2NJScy3s/s1600/P1020663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv5I6ASw8P9EtVOb-0Pi1gAfmRdRKogCcJh7qrKS2PcJhQYEGuO_ETXP8gPBCAslqoJgNw71MplEqWdVPzVvIp8tIfQuU6Fu0NCP81ATqIiO7jo8_Z2DwxCfoXi26lRHiPpR2NJScy3s/s320/P1020663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Go to Cangalai</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsw7v0JSCQSF3SFOTrdrWaX80j8Ds10sQcySVlYLNQODDxQVjuQrRFnJpXs_xOuX2szEGwt4LW284WVmBBYHuZ0lB-2JvHz400c_0wN9Ee8jWe1yfHSR2jYpqppYz7J7bFEPD1PxI3Jk/s1600/P1020734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsw7v0JSCQSF3SFOTrdrWaX80j8Ds10sQcySVlYLNQODDxQVjuQrRFnJpXs_xOuX2szEGwt4LW284WVmBBYHuZ0lB-2JvHz400c_0wN9Ee8jWe1yfHSR2jYpqppYz7J7bFEPD1PxI3Jk/s320/P1020734.JPG" width="288" /></a>
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Snorkel there</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaST4X0tzZaAlTciV_0RE5OqTf-ZxfCToyKUAerh6Zq7QYzUChFLPgQpuA4otAR96Zk6BcU7yGFmq3MvwaAc6KK1Qmeqk659lYY9KMEX4dGGc3Qbas9Mw3Y10UIwZ2Vs1etxEy84IjqvA/s1600/P1020738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaST4X0tzZaAlTciV_0RE5OqTf-ZxfCToyKUAerh6Zq7QYzUChFLPgQpuA4otAR96Zk6BcU7yGFmq3MvwaAc6KK1Qmeqk659lYY9KMEX4dGGc3Qbas9Mw3Y10UIwZ2Vs1etxEy84IjqvA/s320/P1020738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Doggus sleepus is a very common animal in the fijian village</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdjDYA23qLD0eV4zpOB7a8xoY96cDL36IRgqNCv9VQlNXm5OhM8p9La962hm_hJYlEWiQTuoJG1UP_U8Y0Qwce9r9sI8lD7-hb-SxLlVlAikYEGfkxnMVxxLBxKgNDL9f5MqgCacjX0/s1600/P1020555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdjDYA23qLD0eV4zpOB7a8xoY96cDL36IRgqNCv9VQlNXm5OhM8p9La962hm_hJYlEWiQTuoJG1UP_U8Y0Qwce9r9sI8lD7-hb-SxLlVlAikYEGfkxnMVxxLBxKgNDL9f5MqgCacjX0/s320/P1020555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Go to the market</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs0TJTrEABM35hvszfV8-J5kssG-yv9qE1pDEvM2SQVS84klF6IhRV-cllh_M5I9C1XV_TM5fPP5k4eYoMwvSKc5FjREnXHKJijvh5FflckvaLotNFCpqjlMzlf3JNp43-eLN3LFqqJc/s1600/P1020873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs0TJTrEABM35hvszfV8-J5kssG-yv9qE1pDEvM2SQVS84klF6IhRV-cllh_M5I9C1XV_TM5fPP5k4eYoMwvSKc5FjREnXHKJijvh5FflckvaLotNFCpqjlMzlf3JNp43-eLN3LFqqJc/s320/P1020873.JPG" width="320" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSTeIQBPy1EwaFx8v77V0UQXS1UxE6Q1XkQXCX1ZgQ5xjuzaA6hS9phzxcpokwZriWAYvYonCvSZB0Dlejc2FP37V_yYHv7BpNLERSUJGq6RWtIIvt8TUo-ThQv7jW8-HG9YaoEZ7SIM/s1600/P1020745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSTeIQBPy1EwaFx8v77V0UQXS1UxE6Q1XkQXCX1ZgQ5xjuzaA6hS9phzxcpokwZriWAYvYonCvSZB0Dlejc2FP37V_yYHv7BpNLERSUJGq6RWtIIvt8TUo-ThQv7jW8-HG9YaoEZ7SIM/s320/P1020745.JPG" width="288" /></a>
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Take a bus to Nananu-i-ra</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoCSn4ihFqDnXX6wS0Qs0kA_yCPbVvEBcdWaxMJ9n2PLVxw37Fb-kPvPV1aR5USzfOujYvSzGjYsR3NXnPWOPVbPDVzrdTocIHyoFX8OoTdlBWJjmfbwmeJOCPCwaJ2YSTXvUFK__1Xk/s1600/P1020775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoCSn4ihFqDnXX6wS0Qs0kA_yCPbVvEBcdWaxMJ9n2PLVxw37Fb-kPvPV1aR5USzfOujYvSzGjYsR3NXnPWOPVbPDVzrdTocIHyoFX8OoTdlBWJjmfbwmeJOCPCwaJ2YSTXvUFK__1Xk/s320/P1020775.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Kayak in a bath tub</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDT4UA9pSi1Wf22kk24zDcfExXI0q-uxvt1suQeN-Jyvfe8MWI_YQwZ2-zFDXDpE_7RVyvEtK2fLDik0mb_OW3n7emT_PACAmTqy_GJQrp-o2zz91jyzKU9c4c3d00MMPyUF0EL8Fr1E/s1600/P1020783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDT4UA9pSi1Wf22kk24zDcfExXI0q-uxvt1suQeN-Jyvfe8MWI_YQwZ2-zFDXDpE_7RVyvEtK2fLDik0mb_OW3n7emT_PACAmTqy_GJQrp-o2zz91jyzKU9c4c3d00MMPyUF0EL8Fr1E/s320/P1020783.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Watch the sunset from sunset point. Look for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_flash">the green flash</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7MydfFeFKfq0nAZ4aC67oE12BSRdRdmf6nVVMECiq-TfGVAqSyd-d3eVIWmv2Q1F-Vp29JNiezLMCH2_qaY8k7s7AeHlZMsz2Y0ee8TVvcFrnD_b1Mr2JWpidrSiDnTKYnvaw8_-xfY/s1600/P1020845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7MydfFeFKfq0nAZ4aC67oE12BSRdRdmf6nVVMECiq-TfGVAqSyd-d3eVIWmv2Q1F-Vp29JNiezLMCH2_qaY8k7s7AeHlZMsz2Y0ee8TVvcFrnD_b1Mr2JWpidrSiDnTKYnvaw8_-xfY/s320/P1020845.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Go diving</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNLPDYEnggGcVRjEkqBBYFrgF1Sl60VQqWy0EatSAOxZ7FsddPxtu3KA0m05Y9KB-I_srHjz8aiTpc-vnjxZVDDQU1GEVv_ks-XWbT3Rzleh_ReWxTYXypLpImgSrc6APR7QJyN9MGHo/s1600/P1020878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNLPDYEnggGcVRjEkqBBYFrgF1Sl60VQqWy0EatSAOxZ7FsddPxtu3KA0m05Y9KB-I_srHjz8aiTpc-vnjxZVDDQU1GEVv_ks-XWbT3Rzleh_ReWxTYXypLpImgSrc6APR7QJyN9MGHo/s320/P1020878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Take a boat to the Yasawas</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9f2Lq0ky24W0zHzz5ta0s-PbocyPV0d07RH9vv_SQN2X7-8SegyqelHKM8lAJ5T8lFIdAMZ0B-YdiPygJayI9RBGnSGfq1aS-TOIMPnH0CmhvcJUL0YIpHWaqLKeE-e-jEE0y0Qi1Ac/s1600/P1020888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9f2Lq0ky24W0zHzz5ta0s-PbocyPV0d07RH9vv_SQN2X7-8SegyqelHKM8lAJ5T8lFIdAMZ0B-YdiPygJayI9RBGnSGfq1aS-TOIMPnH0CmhvcJUL0YIpHWaqLKeE-e-jEE0y0Qi1Ac/s320/P1020888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Catch snakes with the locals</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCmfSFp83vVzwvSZ_ND6z5w-d0ozW902sORF-GKvE-1dxLL0z0yDEuBYj-xH3OOGiwpelilrNsBksUr6iu0J3Jdk6EQjn7s9rIESQdlqSjefAADq6DnRq0DrAfzECi50NALCsa3GlWo8/s1600/P1020892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCmfSFp83vVzwvSZ_ND6z5w-d0ozW902sORF-GKvE-1dxLL0z0yDEuBYj-xH3OOGiwpelilrNsBksUr6iu0J3Jdk6EQjn7s9rIESQdlqSjefAADq6DnRq0DrAfzECi50NALCsa3GlWo8/s320/P1020892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a banana flower</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1XCi5oooEtw-A9HqNmJEHCzgdRGju0R7b9dwO0aI_ehIooJ-an0KUqVaGppaiyaoAaTdNXLcMAQdFZHXy7YFq6etax5Zfnp_lRxp3BAdExs5_HIIFLLI1soGRWNZHmdqXR1joY9ffZI/s1600/P1020904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1XCi5oooEtw-A9HqNmJEHCzgdRGju0R7b9dwO0aI_ehIooJ-an0KUqVaGppaiyaoAaTdNXLcMAQdFZHXy7YFq6etax5Zfnp_lRxp3BAdExs5_HIIFLLI1soGRWNZHmdqXR1joY9ffZI/s320/P1020904.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Get married on the beach</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5k9XUPgBCYEEK14_dvZP7542DCGlrakI-5Opg-q4rHl3JFvtby2tTvwpC2vmy1GnsgbQ5a-9aXjnZXTTWvLcT745RAjF-FSZ2xROXdG1i1qPTGZqOzHOA94z5AxMY7fJucs2qF_13pU/s1600/P1020903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5k9XUPgBCYEEK14_dvZP7542DCGlrakI-5Opg-q4rHl3JFvtby2tTvwpC2vmy1GnsgbQ5a-9aXjnZXTTWvLcT745RAjF-FSZ2xROXdG1i1qPTGZqOzHOA94z5AxMY7fJucs2qF_13pU/s320/P1020903.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our vicar's called Rabua (pronounced Rambua) and wears either all red or all white.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WSyDSluIMmO6baqKxKdBnRi8HXl9otlC6RD15XMiWf90qgbZlcrgkjGVQ227_5LG2b7nWtueZmEXkRsRPHOvO7tYyqe7MpxLg97DsigumdaSHjY6Ha3Cu0340wCOh9dkQRINmyF6kko/s1600/P1020952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WSyDSluIMmO6baqKxKdBnRi8HXl9otlC6RD15XMiWf90qgbZlcrgkjGVQ227_5LG2b7nWtueZmEXkRsRPHOvO7tYyqe7MpxLg97DsigumdaSHjY6Ha3Cu0340wCOh9dkQRINmyF6kko/s320/P1020952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kiss</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJrHufbJrzMMvUapTSQwn8NVSKgyJ35KeYRikdVcaYrATGTwXMBY54VhuFaYDaQCSygHD-1ghbSbKXdckyapuH1wS1vbp0VHWe9S375vkp72eG97ypwzJm3HkzL3fLYczO1E-TSsfcB4/s1600/P1020966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJrHufbJrzMMvUapTSQwn8NVSKgyJ35KeYRikdVcaYrATGTwXMBY54VhuFaYDaQCSygHD-1ghbSbKXdckyapuH1wS1vbp0VHWe9S375vkp72eG97ypwzJm3HkzL3fLYczO1E-TSsfcB4/s320/P1020966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is for my parents and friends and such</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIDjBEziHLNlPoQ5AoULH6l1pZ6FWyn-5uKXiRv3BI0LDdI-O937JQVBVBQsf7UXaWKP8r8_LFsI-yH2VvZzBVrjaPJpGxyDHfOZfq0jy9CcN1wxOj-0n47nrliXXqvIRRbvbqWXYQS8/s1600/P1020925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIDjBEziHLNlPoQ5AoULH6l1pZ6FWyn-5uKXiRv3BI0LDdI-O937JQVBVBQsf7UXaWKP8r8_LFsI-yH2VvZzBVrjaPJpGxyDHfOZfq0jy9CcN1wxOj-0n47nrliXXqvIRRbvbqWXYQS8/s320/P1020925.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Promising to forsake all other flesh and support and inspire in all eternity. That´s a long time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19sSvCEXaB9A4BsKcV5AitDKmurpbPZcmtlfnjEYyofa0nfDWSnUPEqZ8PWNViOORuCj6zmeKYqa_H_Lx1h6Nwm0CKyI4XAdH388_A_a9NPVeZoSY2u_m455NbrFnj4yGfHrT8XB9nMc/s1600/P1030003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19sSvCEXaB9A4BsKcV5AitDKmurpbPZcmtlfnjEYyofa0nfDWSnUPEqZ8PWNViOORuCj6zmeKYqa_H_Lx1h6Nwm0CKyI4XAdH388_A_a9NPVeZoSY2u_m455NbrFnj4yGfHrT8XB9nMc/s320/P1030003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lovo wedding dinner</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XODlxfmE_rxsIAog5SzUe3x_s2mo3-iPpGG16ctFnUzG9Vx2m_YdqIumg64L5OPCvEiHJnpk3Y0lEIK5X6t6FiSYJ5soStAG8iFS8Q8ixEA5dlPpFW9PYdS7wiQ5vlC0tij2DqjcP7o/s1600/P1030023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XODlxfmE_rxsIAog5SzUe3x_s2mo3-iPpGG16ctFnUzG9Vx2m_YdqIumg64L5OPCvEiHJnpk3Y0lEIK5X6t6FiSYJ5soStAG8iFS8Q8ixEA5dlPpFW9PYdS7wiQ5vlC0tij2DqjcP7o/s320/P1030023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chill in the hammock</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYQoAzmu9qJMof9zmuWw9jH4C3Aj2ElOyriEi28XuCVClPiXxgVKn3AgqDUhqMrcdct5LJxjOJePNwuPCuDQokckVWWknKc2sNSTfn9RA_RP8cOLlfmIFOgUmOb4uUbKyU46lpuaNuNk/s1600/P1030147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYQoAzmu9qJMof9zmuWw9jH4C3Aj2ElOyriEi28XuCVClPiXxgVKn3AgqDUhqMrcdct5LJxjOJePNwuPCuDQokckVWWknKc2sNSTfn9RA_RP8cOLlfmIFOgUmOb4uUbKyU46lpuaNuNk/s320/P1030147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Drink kava</div>
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Drink champagne under the full moon</div>
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Next day feed your husband to the sharks</div>
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Or just go for a hike </div>
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<br /></div>Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-62906734124314041422012-06-01T14:31:00.002-07:002012-06-01T14:32:21.030-07:00Romance in FijiWe're terribly busy being romantic on palm clad islands with fringing reefs and sandy white beaches. There's not terribly much internet, and anyway I'm too busy lounging about in hammocks, going diving in the equivalent of a live fish tank, reading books in hammocks, going on jungle trecks and having amazing meals with the beloved one.<br />
<br />
It's beautiful, everyone is friendly, it's easy to travel here, the climate is great, it's cheap and I don't want to go home, so I changed my flight and am staying til 24th of July, continuing on Alvei rather than to bike about NZ in the winter rain and cold. <br />
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I promise pictures to come at some unknown future point, but it may possibly not be before another week's time.Now I have to go have muffins for breakfast.<br />
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Sincerely/<br />
the world's most irresponsible blogger.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-90915107786550838222012-05-26T00:41:00.000-07:002012-06-01T14:32:47.301-07:00Local FijiWe've spent some days in Suva, eating, shopping, showering and the like, which isn't that interesting to the rest of the world, but quite fantastic after six weeks at sea. I've been complimented very much on my local jembba dress. <br />
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Now we're at Ovalau, Levuka Town, which is the old capital. It's gorgeus, with superbly friendly people and not very visited due to a lack of white sandy beaches. Definitely still worth going here anyway. <br />
Tomorrow morning we're heading to Canggalai, which is a tiny island with a few bure on the beach, run by the methodist church. Supposedly that's were the white beaches are, minus the crowd of backpackers/horrible aussies. There's not much to do but snorkeling, playing about on the beach and hang out with the locals.<br />
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Bonus info: kava tastes like soapy mud water. We had some with the local charity club at Levuka Club, which is the oldest membership club in the South Sea Islands.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-33053667267647412122012-05-21T14:56:00.002-07:002012-06-01T14:32:56.772-07:00In Fiji!I'm alive! 43 days at sea plus two days waiting for immigration to let us into Fiji. It's amazing to finally be here hug the beloved one, and eat proper food. Everything is still swaying, and I'm amazed to be here. Update on sailing, Fiji , and everything will come. But first food, sight seeing and spending time with the worlds' best boyfriend.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-72886844156574622922012-04-05T22:43:00.000-07:002012-04-05T22:43:55.414-07:00Tomorrow's the daySkipper alerted the immigration and harbour authorities, weather's been checked, kerosene oven's been fixed (I accidentally set it on fire), sailsetting's been practiced, extra warm sweater and seasickness pills been bought (and more chocolate) and we just want to leave. 10 o´clock tomorrow morning.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-41236647453187800532012-04-03T19:18:00.000-07:002012-04-03T19:18:31.769-07:00The girl who shouted wolfThen the wind came and we´re still in Nelson and keep having last dinners and last drinks. 45 knots is to much wind for a new crew.<br />
We hope the tasman storm will die down on Friday. We also hope that Fijian weather wont be too bad, they've had a pretty big storm and some nasty floodings.<br />
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There's gotten more crew aboard to a total of sixten, and the additions are Peggy from Holland, Dennis from Germany, Jef (or Jan-Erik as his real name is, though that dosn't sound as cool as Jef), and Hayden from Wellington. They're pretty young in many ways and it looks like it won't just be learing how to sail, but also conducting a psychological experiment of personalities as well. I do suppose we'll be allright, but I also suppose there will be some clashes on the way. <br />
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Anyhow, I will suddenly drop off the map, and that means I'm sailing to Fiji. If you want to know for sure that I've gone, check with Jes.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-2162178278877644392012-04-01T16:08:00.003-07:002012-04-01T16:08:21.404-07:00Hoist anchor, sailor!We're going tomorrow. We're buying the last stuff today, scrubbing the deck, doing man over board practice and muster stations. I got a new cabin mate, Peggy from Netherlands. She seems very nice. I hope we can agree on our tiny space.<br />
We had the last beer yesterday evening and everyone did like real sailors, getting drunk, dancing, flirting, someone ran out on a bill, someone got sick on the way home, someone got punched by a lady friend, someone showed their boat to a french guy, someone got lost and fell asleep on a different boat, and someone is still missing in action.<br />
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It's going to be fantastic. See you in a month.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-vjB8OMF6iz0IcCBQK1tZknUTRgTutnMY32HZLYZLrkzF6RgfK36V1Hfr-Xjc2fejJs_wISbx9MpiHUDyXB3S-7QNuAo4b8xRFRgJfoXGW-uhKoje5-V135JsKRKlAccuL2WoXry-vA/s1600/P1010829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-vjB8OMF6iz0IcCBQK1tZknUTRgTutnMY32HZLYZLrkzF6RgfK36V1Hfr-Xjc2fejJs_wISbx9MpiHUDyXB3S-7QNuAo4b8xRFRgJfoXGW-uhKoje5-V135JsKRKlAccuL2WoXry-vA/s640/P1010829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Out to the big blue oceanNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-8783353164727602562012-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:002012-03-30T16:32:55.986-07:00The big good bye partyWe were told anything between nil and 200 people could show up to Alveis farewell party. It turned out to be a total of about 25 on and off during the night. We had made four kilos of potato salad, so you can easily guess what we'll be living off the next days before the final departure. The ship ended up looking so clean it almost was too much, pretty much everything is put in the right place, and deck has been scrubbed, saloon and galley vacuumed and all table and galley tops inside and out washed down.<br />
I planned to take pictures, but realised my memory card had gone missing.<br />
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Instead I drank pear scrumpy and red wine and danced on the deck - we've made a crew dance as well, and added new disco moves such as haul up the anchor, climb the mast and scrub the deck. We also made the discovery that all of the male crew are quite the playboys with female guests flocking around them. It was pretty funny to watch and I guess that's what sailors are supposed to be like. Hard working sailors do party hard, but not late - I wet to bed as one of the later at 00.30.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891846689867978790.post-71353887440647841492012-03-29T14:19:00.002-07:002012-03-29T14:19:39.638-07:00There's a fun story at the endI was originally planning to write some posts ahead and have them appearing here. It didn't really happen; we've been to busy getting everything ready before sailing. Hence this space will be empty for the next month or so - there is no net on the ocean. I promise to return on Fiji and write fascinating tales of the sea and the islands. Deal?<br />
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Oh, the funny story: our kitchen sink outlet got plugged the other day. It turned out to be a dead fish, which had swam in there to gobble on our flushed out leftovers. I pulled it out of the outlet by the tail, sitting on our land raft.Ninahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901754932427026257noreply@blogger.com0